What we know after Tommy Robinson’s arrest in Canada

Tommy Robinson was arrested in Canada on suspicion of an immigration offense after making a speech in Calgary.

The far-right activist, real name Stephen Yaxley Lennon, appeared to laugh in disbelief as officers handcuffed him and escorted him to his car.

In a video shot by Rebel News on Monday, officers told the anti-Islam activist that he was being arrested on the basis of an “illegal arrest warrant.”

Robinson, waving at the Canadian prime minister, said to the camera “fuck Justin Trudeau” as he was put in the backseat.

A separate video, which Robinson apparently shot secretly in a police car, shows him arguing with two plainclothes officers who arrested him and demanding to know why he is being held.

Yahoo News explains what we know so far about Robinson’s arrest and the charges he may face.

What we know

Robinson, 41, was arrested shortly after speaking at an event in Calgary on Monday. As officers led him away, he could be heard saying “absolutely crazy.”

Traveling in the car, Robinson demands more information and the officers informed him that his arrest was ordered by the director of the Canada Border Services Agency.

Robinson can be heard telling officers: “Isn’t it crazy how hard immigration is for the wrong people?

“It’s a matter of mentality. You act like a total spineless coward, as a country that lets every bloody, fucking Abdul or anyone else into their country – you know nothing about them, their criminal past or anything, or their ideologies, and then you come to me with the mafia for giving a lecture at a seminar.

One officer says it is “rather ironic” that Robinson talks about his criminal history, suggesting that he lied on his application to enter the country and said he had no criminal convictions. Robinson denies this and claims that his “boss” filled out the application on his behalf.

Robinson has since been released, but was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Canada. Posting an update on X on Tuesday at 8.15am UK time, the activist said: ‘Ok, I’m free, sort of.

“It doesn `t make sense. I am now detained in Calgary and cannot leave the city. These conditions prevent me from continuing to travel across Canada and meet with guests to listen to podcasts. I’m not even allowed to go home. “

Rebel News booked Robinson to speak in three Canadian cities. The store’s owner and co-founder, Ezra Levant, appealed to X for donations to cover Robinson’s legal costs as he awaits trial.

Levant later wrote: “Rebel News has hired Alain Hepner, a top criminal lawyer in Calgary, and we are working to fire him as quickly as possible. He is currently looking into this matter.”

What we don’t know

It is unclear when Robinson will appear in court again or how long he will be banned from leaving Canada.

In an interview with Rebel News after his release from custody, he said that every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday he had to report to the authorities and inform them of the hotel or address where he was staying.

Given that he has not yet been found guilty of any immigration offenses, it is not yet clear whether he will be deported or barred from re-entering Canada, or face any other penalty.

Given the terms of his release, Robinson will likely be unable to attend two other scheduled events in Edmonton on Tuesday and Toronto on June 30, but that has not yet been confirmed.

While officers appeared to hint at Robinson’s immigration offense during the conversation in the car, this has not yet been confirmed and the exact content of the charges has not been released.

Authorities have not yet commented on the video, which has been circulated on social media as a secret recording. It is unclear whether Robinson will face any consequences for making the video.

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